Ofcom-2018年儿童和父母媒体使用情况和态度报告（英文）-2019.1-18页_1mb

Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2018 Summary

Overview

This report examines children's media literacy, defined by Ofcom as the ability to use, understand, and create media in various contexts. It serves as a reference for industry, stakeholders, and the public, fulfilling Ofcom's duty under the Communications Act 2003. The report draws on the Children and Parents' Media Literacy Tracker and other research sources to provide insights into media use, attitudes, and understanding among children aged 3–15 and their parents.

Key Findings

Device Use and Media Consumption

• TV sets and tablets remain the most widely used devices by children, with TV sets used by 94% of 3–4s and 97% of 5–15s.
• Smart TVs are increasingly adopted, with 60% of 5–15s now using them.
• Time spent watching TV on a TV set has decreased by about an hour for 3–4s, 8–11s, and 12–15s compared to 2017.
• Online gaming is growing in popularity, with 75% of 5–15s who play games doing so online.
• OTT services (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video) are becoming a major part of children's viewing habits, with 49% of 5–15s using them.
• YouTube is the preferred viewing platform, especially for 8–11s, with 77% of 12–15s using it regularly.

Content Preferences and Creativity

• Vloggers are a significant source of content and inspiration, with 52% of 12–15s now watching vloggers on YouTube.
• Making videos is one of the most popular online activities among 5–15s, with 40% engaging in it.
• Creating content is also increasing, with 15% making their own music online.

Social Media Use

• 70% of 12–15s have a social media profile, with Instagram and WhatsApp becoming more popular than Facebook.
• Social media brings both social pressures (e.g., pressure to look popular, mean comments) and positive influences (e.g., staying in touch with friends, supporting causes).
• Girls are more likely than boys to feel pressure to look popular and to want rules to prevent hurtful comments.
• Children are using multiple accounts on social media platforms to manage their online presence, showing different aspects of themselves to different audiences.

News Consumption

• TV and social media are key sources of news for children, with 68% using TV and 56% using social media.
• Social media is seen as less trustworthy than TV, with 41% of users rating it as a reliable source of news.
• Most 12–15s think critically about news on social media, with 36% checking accuracy 'often or always'.

Fake News Awareness

• 78% of 12–15s have heard of 'fake news', with 69% understanding it as false information.
• 43% of 12–15s have seen fake news online or on social media.
• 65% of 12–15s who use search engines are aware that vloggers may be paid to promote products.

Unwanted Online Experiences

• 12–15s are more likely to have encountered unwanted content, including bullying and inappropriate material.
• 9% of 12–15s have seen something of a sexual nature online.
• Children are aware of internet safety and often discuss such issues with family members.

Screen Time Management

• Parents find it harder to control screen time as children grow older, with 44% of parents of 12–15s reporting difficulty.
• Most 12–15s (63%) believe they have a good balance between screen time and other activities.
• Some children self-regulate their social media use to focus on schoolwork.

Conclusion

The report highlights a shift in media consumption habits, with OTT services and YouTube becoming more prominent. While TV remains a major source of content, its role is diminishing as children increasingly use mobile devices and online platforms. Social media has a dual impact, offering both opportunities for connection and challenges related to safety and misinformation. Children are becoming more media literate, but there is still a need for improved understanding of advertising and content credibility. Parental concerns are rising, but children are also taking steps to manage their own media use.